Improved synthetic wind speed generation using modified Mycielski approach

In this paper, novel approaches for wind speed data generation using Mycielski algorithm are developed and presented. To show the accuracy of developed approaches, we used three‐year collected wind speed data belonging to deliberately selected two different regions of Turkey (Izmir and Kayseri) to generate artificial wind speed data. The data belonging to the first two years are used for training, whereas the remaining one‐year data are used for testing and accuracy comparison purposes. The concept of distinct synthetic data production with correlation‐wise and distribution‐wise similar statistical properties constitutes the main idea of the proposed methods for a successful artificial wind speed generation. Generated data are compared with test data for both regions in the sense of basic statistics, Weibull distribution parameters, transition probabilities, spectral densities, and autocorrelation functions; and are also compared with the data generated by the classical first‐order Markov chains method. Results indicate that the accuracy and realistic behavior of the proposed method is superior to the classical method in the literature. Comparisons and results are discussed in detail. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of dielectric heating parameters in the production of high‐voltage LiNiPO4‐core and carbon‐shell ceramics

Excellent core‐shell morphology and nanoscale high‐voltage LiNiPO₄@C cathode materials have been synthesized by a low‐level and long‐time microwave and solvothermal synthesis methodology. The effects of the changing physicochemical parameters on the crystal‐quality and electrochemical properties of the products have been evaluated in relation to the cycling stability. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that it is possible to synthesize phase‐pure LiNiPO₄ material when the reaction parameters are carefully elaborated. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals a core‐shell morphology with a coating thickness of 6‐8 nm for 30 minutes at 180°C solvothermal temperature and time‐spread microwave energy. This mentioned cathode material exhibits the best electrochemical properties, achieving a discharge capacity of 157 mAh·g^?1 at a 0.l C current rate, and shows a remarkable 81% capacity retention at the end of the 80th cycle.     

Does energy efficiency increase with orchard size? A case study from peach production

The aim of this study was to explain the relationship between orchard size and energy efficiency in the case of peach production carried out by households. The data were obtained from 118 peach orchards that were classified into four groups, including orchards less than 0.5, 0.5–1.0, 1.0–2.0 and larger than 2.0 ha, by using stratified random sampling method. The total energy requirement for peach production on average was 36,284.51 MJ ha^?1. Total energy input use decreases as orchard size increases; however, it is minimal in group III. Fertilizer energy was the largest energy input, followed by diesel oil and pesticides for all groups.     

RGB-D based place representation in topological maps

With the recent developments in sensor technology including Microsoft Kinect, it has now become much easier to augment visual data with three-dimensional depth information. In this paper, we propose a new approach to RGB-D based topological place representation—building on bubble space. While bubble space representation is in principle transparent to the type and number of sensory inputs employed, practically, this has been only verified with visual data that are acquired either via a two degrees of freedom camera head or an omnidirectional camera. The primary contribution of this paper is of practical nature in this perspective. We show that bubble space representation can easily be used to combine RGB and depth data while affording acceptable recognition performance even with limited field of view sensing and simple features.     

Metallo‐supramolecular materials based on terpyridine‐functionalized polyhedral silsesquioxane

In this study, novel metallo‐supramolecular materials based on terpyridine‐functionalized polyhedral silsesquioxane were synthesized from 4′‐chloro‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine and amino‐group‐functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The obtained terpyridine‐functionalized polyhedral silsesquioxanes were converted to metallo‐supramolecular hybrid materials by coordination polycondensation reaction with Co(II) or Cu(II) ions. The supramolecular polymers created were characterized by means of structure, morphology and stimuli‐responsive performance employing scanning electron microscopy, amperometric techniques and UV–visible and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. UV?visible and cyclic voltammetry studies showed that both the optical and electrochemical properties of metallo‐supramolecular materials are affected by the substituent at the pyridine periphery. The supramolecular polymers obtained exhibited electrochromism during the oxidation processes of cyclic voltammogram studies. As a result, these terpyridine‐functionalized polyhedral silsesquioxanes are good candidates for electronic, opto‐electronic and photovoltaic applications as smart stimuli‐responsive materials. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Soot formation in high pressure laminar diffusion flames

The details of the chemical and physical mechanisms of the soot formation process in combustion remain uncertain due to the highly complex nature of hydrocarbon flames, and only a few principles are firmly established mostly for atmospheric conditions. In spite of the fact that most combustion devices used for transportation operate at very high pressures (e.g., aircraft gas turbines up to 40 atm, diesel engines exceeding 100 atm), our understanding of soot formation at these pressures is not at a desirable level, and there is a fundamental lack of experimental data and complementary predictive models. The focus of this review is to assess the experimental results available from laminar co-flow diffusion flames burning at elevated pressures. First, a brief review of soot formation mechanisms in diffusion flames is presented. This is followed by an assessment of soot diagnostics techniques, both intrusive and non-intrusive, most commonly used in soot experiments including the laser induced incandescence. Then the experimental results of soot measurements done at elevated pressures in diffusion flames are reviewed and critically assessed. Soot studies in shock tubes and in premixed flames are not covered. Smoke point fuel mass flow rate is revisited, and shortcomings in recent measurements are pointed. The basic requirements for tractable and comparable measurements as a function of pressure are summarized. Most recent studies at high pressures with aliphatic gaseous fuels show that the soot yield displays a unified behaviour with reduced pressure. The maximum soot yield seems to reach a plateau asymptotically as the pressure exceeds the critical pressure of the fuel. Lack of experimental data on the sensitivity of soot morphology to pressure is emphasized. A short summary of efforts in the literature on the numerical simulation of soot formation in diffusion flames at high pressures is the last section of the paper.     

Comparison of lactic acid bacteria diversity during the fermentation of Tarhana produced at home and on a commercial scale

Food Science and Biotechnology - In this study, lactic acid bacteria diversity during the fermentation of homemade and commercially prepared Tarhana, a traditional fermented cereal food from...